The City of Inver Grove Heights City Council is considering whether to implement a franchise fee in 2018. A franchise fees on utilities (gas and electric) would help fund the unfunded costs relating to city streets, parking lots and trails. A franchise fee is collected by 357 cities out of 853 cities in Minnesota. There are 101 cities in the 7-county metropolitan area that currently have franchise fees. Implementing franchise fees has become a common way for a city to raise revenue.